Columbiad is a word that refers to a large-caliber cannon or other long-range weapon used primarily for land-based military operations. Synonyms for this term include artillery, cannon, howitzer, field gun, and mortar. Other related terms might include bombard, gunship, warship, tank, and missile launcher. Each of these words has slightly different connotations depending on the context in which they are used, but they all generally refer to weapons designed to strike targets at a distance. Whether you're discussing historical military technology or modern warfare, these synonyms for the word "columbiad" are useful for describing the many ways in which weapons of war have evolved over time.